People often ask why I became a doula, and the answer has always come back to one thing: Support matters. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I watched families navigate pregnancy and birth during one of the most uncertain times many of us have ever experienced. At the same time, I couldn't ignore the maternal health disparities that have disproportionately affected Black women for generations. As hospitals restricted visitors and families faced pregnancy with less support than ever before, I found myself thinking about how important it is to have someone by your side—someone who listens, educates, advocates, and reminds you that you don't have to go through this alone. That belief became even more personal when I reflected on my own family's journey. Years earlier, my sister was unexpectedly hospitalized during her pregnancy, and the only thing I could think about was getting to her.